Aerospace

Aerospace is a hugely important sector for UK engineering. Employing around 113,000 people directly, with another 276,000 in the supply chain, and with an annual income of around £20billion, it’s the second-largest aerospace sector in the world and an important source of export income.

Oil & Gas

They’re not sustainable. They release carbon dioxide. They’re dangerous to extract. They’re a major cause of geopolitical unrest, and finding alternatives to them is one of the most biggest goals of science and engineering research the world over. Nevertheless, fossil fuels are going to be a major part of all our lives for some decades to come.

Poll

For many years now, the RAF's frontline fighters have been the result of international projects, a trend which will continue when the F35 Lightning II is delivered. Which of these options best reflects your opinion on this?

Collaborative projects are the best way to deliver the UK's capabilities in single-seat aircraft development and manufacture

The costs of developing fighter aircraft are beyond the capabilities of any single country

Collaborative projects tie up the UK's aerospace capabilities and prevent the aerospace sector from developing and building its own fighter aircraft

Single-seat fighter aircraft will soon be obsolete white elephants; the UK should concentrate on combat UAVs

A UK-made fighter aircraft would be expensive, but a worthwhile exercise for the aerospace and defence sector